The Rapture
1 Thessalonians 4:13-18
As a young man in my early twenties, I was just beginning to really take hold of Bible Doctrine. I had learned already about salvation, and then I learned about the “Rapture of the Church” (called the body of Christ, made up of believers) and this doctrine really turned me on to learning more.
It is the blessed hope (assurance) of all believers who love the Lord. I memorized it from just reading it over and over, every so often.
When you fully appreciate and understand the significance of the Rapture for believers, you will perhaps love it as much as I do.
1 Thessalonians. 4:13-18 explained:
vs. 13: But I would not have you to be ignorant (unknowledgeable), brethren (fellow believers), concerning them who are asleep (physically dead believers IN CHRIST), that you sorrow not, even as (like as) others who have no hope (UNBELIEVERS).
vs. 14: For if we believe (and we do—first class condition of “if” in the Greek) that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also who sleep (dead believers) IN JESUS will God BRING WITH Him.” “Bring” means: we are ALREADY WITH HIM WHERE HE IS. Where is Jesus Christ now? He is seated at the right hand of the Father (Matthew 22:44; 26:64; Mark 12:36; 16:19; Luke 20:42&43). There are at least a dozen other Scriptural references testifying to this fact. To be sure that you understand that believers who are dead IN Christ are not only with the Lord AFTER physical death, but come WITH the Lord when He comes, God stated this in our text in verse 16.
vs. 15: For this we say unto you by word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain (believers on earth) unto the coming of the Lord shall not precede them who are asleep (dead believers, “BODY” still in the grave at His coming).
vs. 16: For the Lord Himself (Jesus Christ) shall descend from Heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump (trumpet) of God; and the dead IN Christ shall rise FIRST;
vs. 17: Then (after) we (believers) who are alive and remain (still here on earth alive) shall be caught UP together with them (dead believers who’s resurrected body has now joined their soul and spirit), into the clouds, to meet the Lord IN THE AIR; and so shall we ever (FOREVER) be with the Lord.
vs. 18: Wherefore comfort one another with these words. (Because this will be a GRAND REUNION for ALL believers of the “Church Age” — our relatives and friends who have gone on before us.
Isn’t this FANTASTIC? Boy, if we only knew what we don’t know, we’d be even more excited and anxious to be home with the Lord.
There just isn’t anything in this world that compares with Bible Doctrine —The literal “Mind of Christ” — God’s Own Divine Viewpoint; in print for us to learn and love.
Until next time, name your sins to the Lord as they knowingly occur, and just keep moving right along.